Monday, July 26, 2010

As Good as it Gets!

By this time on Saturday, I'll be over 4hrs into a 125km run...

I can think about it all I want, but there's not a whole lot I can do at this point in the game that will make me run faster or last longer than I actually will. Come to think of it, I can probably do more harm than good if I'm not careful. So time to enjoy the well-deserved break because THAT'S IT - C'est fini. 4 more days to go!

With a reduced training load this week, my body has suddenly decided to stop pumping itself full of endorphins...All of sudden, it seems like I've got a few more (body) kinks than 'normal' this week...Or it might just be some pre-race jitters manifesting themselves - funny how the mind can play tricks on you!

Otherwise, I am feeling fit and mentally ready to 'survive' Death Race, and that's all I can hope for at this point. On that note, I thought I'd share a few goals I set for myself back in February...

Death Race 'Survival' Goals (back then it was all about surviving...):

1. Step onto the start line injury free: If all goes well in the next few days, I should (more or less) reach this goal...If you haven't caught on yet, some might say I'm injury prone...My Achilles issues went from the right side to the left and back to right in a severe way. I finally put that behind me after at the end of June and a freak trip/crash on my left knee cap while doing a photoshoot left me with a bruised cartilage. Scar tissue has developed now, and it entertains me with a growing dull pain as the hours tick away. And finally, a few days ago, a wonderful little kink has surfaced under my left foot (arch) - nothing very serious at this point (I think it's just a tight tendon/muscle)...Massage should get rid of it. Aside from that, I'm good to go!

2. Wrap my head around 125km of running...fast! - Be mentally prepared to suffer: This isn't rocket science. I know I can last, but can I run this distance at a zippy pace? I have to admit that I would have liked to have put in a few more longer runs, but there's a fine line between distance VS injury for me this year so I had to cap it somewhere. On a positive note, I did manage to 'race' a full 6.5hrs with 3,000m of gain at the end of June...and didn't feel like it totally kicked the sh!t out of me. The shape is another notch above that now...So we'll see I guess!

3. Performance Goal - Top 3: I fully realize that I'm an ultra running rookie and lots can go wrong out there, but all I can do at this point, is to focus on the things that I can control such as nutrition and pacing - not much else I can do about the rest. I've done my homework and if all goes well, the top 3 drawers should be well within reach. Now I just have to see how all the other 'socks' stack up...

Either way, it's been a hell of a ride...I'm going to enjoy every bit of this race!

Ata man, Philly - go get 'em! As ever, have enjoyed the great narrative along the way as you've trained into race shape. With your spirit and iron-clad race helmet (a term borrowed from a couple of dudes in the '08 mens rowing eight), those 125 will soon very successfully be in the rearview. Will be cheering from a distance.

Rock it Phil! But don't rock it too hard in the beginning. It's all about Pace, Pace and Pace in an ultra so if you do it right, you'll be picking them off in the end. Take care of you and you'll be Gold. Now, Go Gettum'!!!